Archive Council News

08.10.04

Breaking Down Barriers to Success

A free one day event aimed at helping people with disabilities to find employment is to be held on October 27th at the Memorial Hall in Wrexham.

"Breaking Down the Barriers to Success: Better Yourself, Improve Your Lifestyle" will be held between 10am and 4pm. The event is being organised by the Wrexham Access to Lifestyle and Employment Solutions (WALES) network, which brings together several agencies that help people with disabilities find suitable employment. The WALES network recognises the importance of finding solutions appropriate to each individual’s needs and situation.

The ‘drop in’ programme will include a series of presentations throughout the day, including drama by Actability, who will portray a number of scenarios affecting disabled people. There will also be music, juggling, belly dancing and other entertainment, an exhibition, one to one advice sessions, t’ai chi and free holistic therapy treatments.

Link to further information about the event

The RNIB will give a presentation on Assistive Technology to explain the types of software and devices that are available to help visually impaired people use computers and gain access to the internet. Marks & Spencers will introduce their “Marks & Start” programme that supports people with disabilities into work.

There will be personal success stories, presentations on Physical Health, Mental Health, and Fulfilling Your Potential, and representatives from AVOW will discuss volunteering options.

The event will be opened by celebrity chef Dai Davies who will be launching a new booklet: "Cancer Eating Profile And Recipe Ideas", written by Arwel Jones, a consultant herbalist and homeopath and a senior practitioner in Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The booklet will include recipes specially created by Dai for people with cancer.

WALES network spokesman, Ray Davies of Working Links, says:

"Finding employment when you have a disability can be confusing and disheartening. General unemployment levels in Wrexham are low but many disabled people still believe their employment prospects are poor. The benefits system can be confusing and some employers have a less than helpful attitude towards people with disabilities. We hope this drop in event will help raise the profile of these issues, and also encourage people with disabilities to consider new options for creating healthy lifestyles ”.

The WALES network member organisations are Broker Cymru, Working Links, RNID NE Wales, Careers Wales NE, Enter Disability Wales, Equal, RNIB Cymru, Wrexham Jobcentre, Wrexham Disability Forum and WCBC. The day has been sponsored by Hill Dickinson Solicitors, Chester, who recently presented a seminar on Disability Discrimination as part of Wrexham Business Week.

Refreshments will be prepared by the Wrexham Disability Forum and there will be a supervised children's play area.

Further information is available from Paul Swann, Wrexham Council's Planning and Commissioning Officer, 01978 292874 / 07966 566766.